ABUJA – President-elect Maj. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari yesterday, received the Certificate of Return from the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega as confirmation that he participated in the March 28, 2015 Presidential Election and won.
Later in his acceptance speech, the former military head of state sounded that never again shall there be a “ruling party” in the Nigerian political lexicon, but a governing party, adding that rule of law shall be his administration’s watch word. “Democracy and the rule of law will be established in the land”, he noted.
“There shall no longer be a ruling party again. “(The) APC will be a governing party. We shall faithfully serve. We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government. Our long night has past and the daylight of new democratic government has broken across the land”, he declared.
“No-one would be above the law” he noted, assuring that democratic freedoms would be guaranteed and the government would work for his supporters, opponents and those who did not vote for him alike.
“You shall be able to go to bed knowing that you are safe and that your constitutional rights remain in safe hands. You shall be able to voice your opinion without fear of reprisal or victimisation. You are all my people and I shall treat everyone of you as my own”, Gen. Buhari further assured Nigerians.
He also extended a hand of fellowship to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, his beaten election opponent, stressing: “Let me state clearly: President Jonathan has nothing to fear from me,; he is a great Nigerian and still our president.”
Gen. Buhari who canvassed bygone for “the past”, especially the recent past, insisting that “must forget our old battles and past grievances and forge ahead”, however acknowledged that Nigerians were eager to see a better country but appealed to them to be realistic in their expectations.
The president-elect who is known for his “War-Against-Indiscipline” mantra in his military days also promised tackling corruption and Boko Haram among others, noting that the insurgents would soon know the strength of the collective will of Nigerians and commitment to rid this nation of terror and bring back peace, adding, “we shall spare no effort until we defeat terrorism.”
“Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our national institutions and character. By misdirecting into selfish hands funds intended for the public purpose, corruption distorts the economy and worsens income inequality. It creates a class of unjustly-enriched people.
Such an illegal yet powerful force soon comes to undermine democracy because its conspirators have amassed so much money that they believe they can buy government. We shall end this threat to our economic development
and democratic survival.
I repeat that corruption will not be tolerated by this administration; and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation. Page 4 I ask you to join me in resolving these and the other challenges we face. Along the way, there will be victories but there may also be setbacks. Mistakes will be made.
Among those who witnessed the event that took place at the National Collation Centre (in the main hall of the International Conference Centre) Garki, Abuja, was Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.
President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (right); his Vice President-Elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (2nd right) displaying their Certificates of Return after receiving it from the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega (left) at the National Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday 1-04-2015. Photo by: Sikiru Deoye
